Bronson - VPP Lower Link Reassemly - Stupid, Not Paying Attention

Just need someone to take a quick peek at their Bronson for me. I'm disassembling and cleaning the pivots. On the lower VPP linkage there is a rubber bump stop. Does it face the front or the rear of the bike? Linkage fits both ways and I didn't pay attention before I took it off so I'm not sure. SC's tech docs show the linkage hidden by the chainstay so I can't tell there either.

Blue arrow in my pic points to front of bike. The red line is the bump stop and I have it oriented towards the rear. If I flip the linkage it will be oriented along the blue line.

while we're focusing on this area of the bike, do people have any tips for preventing the lower linkage from packging full with dirt every ride please?

I run a "Mucky Nutz Bender Fender in the chainstay yoke of my Tallboys. Keeps all the shrit, goo and snow thrown up by the rear tire from getting in them there lower link zone.
Now all I need is someone's ideas for an upper link sweat deflector. No shib, I can sweat the grease right out my upper link bearings...